Posted: 10th Jul, 2009 By: MarkJ
The Internet Service Providers Association ( ISPA ) has finally revealed the winners of its 11th annual UK Internet awards for 2009. O2 ( Be Broadband ) came out top for '
Best Consumer Fixed Broadband ISP', while Vodafone took top honours for '
Best Consumer Mobile Broadband'.
Best Dial-Up: Exa Networks
The judges were impressed with the strong approach that Exa Networks take towards content filtering and the commitment to customer support that the company demonstrated.
Best Shared Hosting: Namesco
The judges decided that Namesco’s range of packages allowed the flexibility to accommodate a customers’ shared hosting needs. They were also particularly pleased to see that all customer-facing staff take part in NVQ customer care courses.
Best Dedicated Hosting: UK2.net
In an extremely competitive category, the judges agreed that UK2.net offered consumers a range of clearly defined packages. Judges further felt that the option for consumers to downgrade as well as upgrade their package gave UK2.net’s entry the edge over their competitors.
Best Internet Telephony: aql
The judges felt that the level of customer service and support offered by aql were superior to that of the other entrants. The safeguards that aql provide around privacy and security particularly impressed the judges.
Best Streaming: Astream
The judges felt that Astream offers a professional service to its customers catering for the advanced consumer to the professional. They were particularly pleased to see customers being offered the equipment that they needed with advice about how to use it.
Best Business Customer Service: UK Fast
The judges felt that the level of support that UK Fast offered its customers was superior to that of the other entrants. The judges were particularly impressed with the innovative ways in which UK Fast engaged with its customers, such as hosting events and through its film department.
Best Consumer Customer Service: O2
The judges felt that O2 demonstrated a commitment to customer service over and above that of the other entrants. The judges were impressed with the work that O2 was doing in relation to ensuring that predictions about line speed provided to consumers were being met.
Best Business Mobile Broadband: FREEDOM4 WiFi
Mobile Broadband is becoming increasingly important in the world of business and the judges felt that FREEDOM4 WiFi’s combination of packages and flexibility made this the stand out entry in this category.
Best Consumer Mobile Broadband: Vodafone
The judges were impressed with the range of contracts that Vodafone offers customers. They felt that the excellent coverage and international roaming options made Vodafone’s service superior to its competitors.
Best Business Fixed Broadband: Claranet
The judges felt that ClaraNet offered an excellent range of packages, which represented value for money. The sale of re-commissioned equipment to smaller companies to make their services more affordable particularly impressed the judges.
Best Consumer Fixed Broadband: O2
In an extremely closely fought category, the judges were impressed with the excellent value for money and range of packages offered by O2. The judges further felt that the low level of complaints about O2’s service and its commitment to users’ security made its service superior to that of the other finalists.
Corporate Social Responsibility Award: UK Fast
The judges were impressed with the work that UK Fast had done to enhance Digital Inclusion. They also felt that the courses that were offered to staff and the work in designing diplomas in schools were important and made UK Fast worthy winners.
Internet Villain: Stephen Conroy and the Australian Government
For continuing to promote network-level blocking despite significant national and international opposition.
Internet Hero: The Featured Artists Coalition
For recognising publicly that the focus of music companies should be the development of new business models for distributing content online rather than attempting to pass responsibility to ISPs to take action against users.
Some would probably suggest that Vodafone has lost its Mobile Broadband edge since last year and that T-Mobile would have been more deserving, although they weren't included in the shortlist anyway.
For information:http://www.ispaawards.org.uk